We are now into week 2 of school and boy has it been busy! I have a contract at a private school for the term, teaching grade 4-6 science. The school has a prep school (primary, gr 3-6) and an upper school (secondary7-11 & 6th form) spread across a few blocks. The prep school is housed in some historic houses. I am lucky as my science lab is at the top of the building with bay windows overlooking the Thames. It is 3.5km from home so I have been walking to/from so good free exercise instead of paying a fortune for the gym.
As there is a huge freeway separating the prep and upper schools, they have their very own underpass to connect the schools. Prep kids go to the upper for music, upper kids go to prep for sport etc. The staff have all been amazing. I just meet someone and they are asking if I need anything, if they can help me at all etc. Really wonderful. The other awesome bonus of the job is that all staff are provided with a free cooked meal for lunch. Every. Single. Day. Wow! Today for example, I had Shepherds Pie with roast veg, peas, garlic bread, potato salad and a sugar free apple and berry crumble with custard for dessert. Every day there are 3 main options (meat, veg, other), soup, vegies of some form, 2-3 salad options, baked potato bar with toppings such as baked beans, pulled pork, tuna mayo etc, fresh bread rolls and for dessert you get a hot option like crumble, cheesecake etc, and then jelly, fruit tubs and fresh fruit. It is incredible. Tomorrow I am having butter chicken for lunch! Due to covid it is now served in bento boxes that they wash & reuse. Here is my lunch last week: beef stir-fry, chicken caesar salad, roast potato, mixed veg & orange rice pudding.
On the weekend I ventured into the city to Leicester Square. I went to M&M's World and had fun choosing a selection of chocolate. Afterwards I went for a walk to find the new Harry Potter statue in Leicester Square, then headed back to Tottenham Court Road. On the way I found an unofficial Harry Potter shop and got lost in the world of magic for a while.
I decided to head to Holland Park next. In spring they have a big wisteria display so I wanted to check it out as well as enjoy the sunshine. The park was very busy with people soaking up the sun. There were lots of squirrels running around which was cute.
Last I walked over to Westfield. Along the way I saw some gorgeous houses. All wow with black trims, just my style! It is the only one in London and it is huge. We can go retail shopping now under current restrictions so it was nice to be able to walk around like pre-covid times. They have a strict entry/exit procedure with only certain doors allowed to be used for entry and others for exit. I also found a Boost Juice, which I didn't realise was outside Australia.
Nothing planned yet for the future weekends as I am getting things organised for school. Loving the sunshine every day which is great!